Lebron James. Michael Jordan.

An argument that seems like it has been going on since the dawn of time, or at least for the last decade, but who truly is the greatest of all time?

Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks. Sheesh, this man was averaging MVP numbers his rookie year! What some seem to forget is that back then scoring 30 points a game, like most superstars score today was rare, but to do that as a rookie is truly impressive. That season, Jordan became the second-ever rookie to average 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.

Additionally, Michael is very talented and hard-working, causing him to win the Rookie-of-the-Year award. Created in 1952-53, the rookie of the year reward was made to recognize the rookie that played the best out of the year’s draft class. Additional winners of this award include: Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Vince Carter, and you guessed it Lebron James as well.  

The following season, Jordan averaged 20 points per game, became the Bull’s leading scorer and was second in rebounding while averaging more than two steals per game. In 1988, Jordan scored in an all-star game by scoring an outstanding 40 points. 

In 1997, Jordan would later go on to be the first NBA player to record a triple-double in an All-Star Game. Before that Jordan would lead the Bulls to a NBA record of 72-10, which at the time was a near impossible feat. That feat would last 21 years as the 2017 Golden State Warriors lead by Stephen Curry would break the record again by getting 73 wins and 9 losses. Jordan was great in the finals on top of that. Throughout his career, he would average 33.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists winning 24 games. MJ also won back-to-back dunk contests, but in 1988 he would score a perfect 50 by dunking from the free throw line. He is a two time dunk contest champion, 14 time all-star, 6 time NBA Champion, 5 time MVP, 6 time finals MVP, 3 time all-star MVP, 3 time defensive player of the year, 9 time all-defensive first team, 10 time NBA scoring leader.

These stats are obviously impressive, but let’s look at our other contestant.

Hyped up to be the greatest thing since Jordan, “King James” in his rookie season averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game and became the first rookie since Jordan to average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, also earning himself the Rookie of the Year title. 

In Lebron’s second season he averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, a massive increase from his rookie season. He became the fifth player to average 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in a single season. Lebron has lived up to the hype surrounding him. King James is a 18x NBA all star, 3x NBA all star MVP, 13x all NBA first team, 3x all NBA second team, all NBA third team, 5x all-defensive first team, all-defensive second team, NBA rookie of the year, all NBA rookie first team, NBA assist leader, NBA scoring champion, and has won four rings on top of that. Something to keep in mind is the fact that Lebron did also lose 6 championships, but he did manage to beat the 2017 Golden State Warriors team that broke MJ’s record of 72-10 going 73-9. 

Now it’s time to answer who is better: Lebron or Jordan?

Personally, I think that they are equal. Lebron beat the team better than the 72-10 bulls, but  Jordan is 6-0 in the finals getting six rings before his career concludes. Unlike Lebron who is 4-6 in the finals. Lebron is currently 37 and still in the league so he doesn’t have much time left before retirement and to secure the title as the GOAT.

For now, they’re equal.